Gov. Justice Updates Public On New Positive Coronavirus Cases In Morgantown Nursing Home

In Gov. Jim Justice’s daily briefing on the coronavirus, he announced three more residents and several nursing home staffers have tested positive for the disease. 

In an interview with WV MetroNews earlier Tuesday, the governor said he isn’t sure how coronavirus got into the Sundale nursing home in Morgantown, but that the instance of community transmission is “worrisome.”

While recent data from New York has shown younger adults are almost as likely as older adults to contract the coronavirus, older adults have a significantly higher mortality rate. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists nursing home populations as the highest risk for contracting the disease and says that residents are also at an increased risk for serious illness.

On March 12, Gov. Justice asked nursing homes to restrict visitors except in end of life circumstances.

During the press briefing, Justice also said unemployment claims are being processed at “lightning speed.” And the national guard reports they are working to distribute food and medical supplies around the state.

Secretary Bill Crouch and commissioner of public health Dr. Cathy Slemp both urged West Virginians to continue to stay home and follow guidelines for social distancing and hand washing.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from Marshall Health and Charleston Area Medical Center.